If anyone attempts to
ascertain where we are going or what we mean to do I sound warning
now that we will do all we can to prove to him that it is none of
his business."
The Mayor looked at them in surprise.
"Why," he began, "I suppose ye must be on a mighty partic'lar job.
Are you--?"
"There!" interrupted Ned. "You see you are beginning to ask
questions. Since we can't answer them we'd rather not hear them."
"Right," exclaimed the Mayor. "Give me yer word it's all fair and
square and that ye ain't violatin' no laws and I'll give ye my word
they won't be no more questions asked."
"I'm glad to do that," answered Ned, "we want certain accommodations
for which we are willing to pay. But we want the confidence of
Clarkeville that we are all right, even if we are a little young."
"Clarkeville is yours," laughed the Mayor, getting up from the
table, "and now what do ye want first?"
In another hour the two boys, guided by Mayor Bradley, had examined
the entire settlement. A little way down the railroad track they
found a rather ramshackle building, mostly tin roof, and behind it a
large plot of ground surrounded with a high corral or fence.
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